Devices need power — Computing, 4–6
A computer can only work while it has enough electrical energy. Computing, 4–6 years.
Energy makes it work
A tablet, computer or robot needs energy to do its work. A battery stores some energy, and a charger can put more energy into it from a socket. When the stored energy runs low, the device may become slow, show a warning or stop.
Why charging matters
People wanted computers they could carry away from a wall socket. A battery made that possible, but it can hold only a limited amount of energy. Charging solves the problem by filling the battery again, so you can use the device later without staying beside the socket.
Watch the battery
Suppose a tablet starts with 4 bars of battery. After watching a video, it has 3 bars; after drawing for a while, it has 2 bars. You see a low-battery warning at 1 bar. You tell an adult, connect the charger safely, and wait while the bars rise again.
A charger is not magic
It is easy to think that plugging in a charger makes a device work forever. In fact, charging takes time, and the battery can run down again while you use it. Also, not every charger fits every device. Let an adult check the cable and socket instead of forcing anything.
Where you use it
You use this idea when you check a tablet before a trip, charge a camera before taking pictures or plug in a computer for a video call. It also explains why a toy robot stops walking when its batteries are empty. If a device stops, first check its power before assuming it is broken.
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